Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-02-08
The Farmers Congress of Northern
Virginia.

4
Virginia.
The Farmers Congress of Northern Vir-
GINA was called to order at 1890 o'clock
this morning at the Opera House. Mr.. n.
". Pierson, of Fairfax, President Of the
Woodlawn Club, called the meeting to
order, and as chairman of the committee
Of the WoodaWn Club read report setting
forth the objects of the convention and rec.
ommepding the appointment of commit
tee on permanent organization. Alter the
adoption of the report the following com
mittee was adopted: Arthur Phillips, OF
Loudoun; Walter Walton, of Fairfax, and
Capt. II. h. Garrett, Master Of the District
Grange of Northern Virginia.
The following officers were then elected :
President, Maj. o. E. Hine, of Vienna; lst
Vice President, N. W. Pierson, of Fairfax ;
% do. Isaiah Brady. of Herndon Secretary,
w. Dillingham;, of Fairfax Asst. do, r. K.
Walker, of Loudoun.
Maj. Hine, on taking the chair, made an
appropriate speech, thanking the congress
for the honor conferred upon him.
a committee on resolutions was appointed
by the chair as follows Col. Daniels, OF
Fairfax Mr.. Cole, of Falls Church, and MIR.
Lukens, of Mount Vernon.
The first question discussed was, "Can
farmers afford to use fertilizer at the present
prices?"
Gen. w. II. F. Lee read an exhaustive
paper on the subject which elected an in
teresting debate, most of those taking part
being of the opinion that prices were too
high and that it was best to use home made
fertilizer. Several suggested dairy and stock
farming.
The second question discussed was, SIS
the use of lime of value?" A speech was
delivered by DR.. Green. The subject was
discussed at length and various opinions
advanced
The third question was, "What is the best
rotation of crops to improve the land and
afford best crop" A paper presented on
this subject by D. P. Smith was read by the
secretary.
The fourth question discussed was, ITO
make the business of farming successful does
it require as close attention to details and
to keep as strict account of all receipts and
expenditures as the business of merchan-
di-ing or manufacturing Paper present
ed by Capt. R. Fl. Tyler.
After debate on this question recess
was taken for.lunch.
During the evening session the following
questions were discussed:
Fifth question, us the cooperative plan
of purchasing supplies for the farm and
household of sufficient advantage to warrant
its general adoption" Paper presented by
j. p. Machen.
Sixth question, 'Sball We discourage the
movement made to appropriate S5O,0 900 from
the State treasury for the benefit and en-
couragemeut Of the State and some of the
county agricultural fairs ?" Paper present
ed by O. E. Hine.
Seventh question, "If person has one
hundred acres of land and only means and
ability to farm fifty acres profitably, would
it be advisable to turn out one half and
farm the other half thoroughly, or struggle
on with the whole hundred acres? ?" Paper
presented by W. T. Rumsey.
Eighth question, (Which are the most
numerous and the most profitable in this
section of the State, sheep or dogs? ?" Paper
presented by f. f. Mason.
All of these papers elected interesting
debates.
During the discussion of the sixth ques-
ton there was some exciting remarks made
in regard to the State debt, during which
Col. r. II. Tyler offered resolution re-
questing the Legislature, when it next
meets, to adopt measures in conformity to
the decisions of the U. S. courts, but the
subject was laid on the table.
The meeting was we'll attended, among
those present being many ladies.
Commissioner of Agriculture Colman was
expected to be present. but failed to appear.
After the adoption of number of resolu-
tons the congress adjourned at 4:30 o'clock
this evening, subject to the call Of the
officers.